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Looking back at 2024

1 January 2025

<b>Dark-sided Flycatcher</b> | <i>Muscicapa sibirica</i> | Photo made near Wassenaar | 05-10-2024

Dark-sided Flycatcher | Muscicapa sibirica

2024 had a very wet spring. With all the water that had already fallen in 2023, it was very wet everywhere. In our area at De Maashorst, fens had developed that I had never seen before. At our migration site, Brobbelbies Noord, ducks were swimming and you could hear Water Rails, bizarre. Due to the wet spring and predominantly north and northwest winds, there was not much to see at the migration sites. This did not mean that it was boring, rare species were observed enough. The autumn was also not really spectacular at our migration site, but as far as rare species in the Netherlands are concerned, it was fine. Let's start with the overview of 2024.

Looking back at 2023

31 December 2023

Eurasian Crag Martin | Ptyonoprogne rupestris | Photo made near Gendt | 26-11-2023

We start this 2023 annual report with a brief look back at our Big Year of 2022.

Big Year 2022

30 December 2022

Yellow-browed Bunting | Emberiza chrysophrys

Normally we try to see at least 300 species in a year. We therefore don't have to go after all the species that are sighted. This year it was going to be a little different, although that was not planned with the start of the new year.

Top of Holland 2022

17 May 2022

Little Ringed Plover | Charadrius dubius | Photo made at the Ezumakeeg Zuid

Due to the corona measures, it was not possible to organize the annual event Top of Holland for 2 years. Fortunately, this year it could be held again on May 14. The aim of the Top of Holland is to search for rare species with as many bird watchers as possible. The discoverer of the rarest species also receives a prize. We have been participating for years under the name “Twitch & Go” and we try to get as many varieties as possible, say a Big Day.

Gull-billed Tern | Gelochelidon nilotica

Daily blog 2022

Our daily twitches and short visits are tracked in this blog. Of course the reports are provided with as many photos and possible sound recordings as possible. Enjoy reading!

Every year the Gull-billed Terns take a break in their journey to Africa near Oude Pekela. They then rest on a sand excavation together with the newborn chicks. The birds come from Germany where a small population still breeds in the mouth of the Elbe. They usually stay here for a few weeks before moving on to Africa. The chicks are still fed by their parents during migration.